Title

Author

Year of Publication

Degree Name

Master of Science in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering (MSBiosyAgE)

Document Type

Master's Thesis

College

Agriculture; Engineering

Department

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

First Advisor

Dr. Fred A. Payne

Abstract

Concentration of microorganisms from a sample volume would increase the limits of detection of samples used for rapid-detection methods. Rapid detection methods are is advantageous for the food industry to rapidly test for bacteria in order release products on a timely basis. Ultrasonic concentration was considered a promising method for manipulation of microorganisms. An ultrasonic chamber consisting of parallel piezoceramic discs with a reticulated polyurethane foam mesh was used to concentrate Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast and Escherichia coli bacteria. The concentration of yeast was seen to increase by 200% (from 8.0 x 104 cells mL-1 to 2.4 x 105 cells mL-1) while almost zero concentration of bacteria was observed. The poor concentration effect seen with the smaller microorganisms was explained by the volume dependent acoustic radiation force exerted on the particles; the concentration forces are 1,000 times smaller for a 1 μm bacteriacell versus a 10 μm yeast cell.